Fire-escape



(No Model. 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

P. GEUB,TZ & M. VAN DEN WILDENBERG.

FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 466,714. Patented Jan. 5, 1892.

(No Model.) 7 2 SheetsSheet 2. P. GEURTZ & M. VAN DEN WILDENBEEG.

FIRE ESCAPE.

ented. Jan. 5, 1892.

UNITED STATES I ATENT FFICE.

PETER 'GEURTZ AND MARTIN VAN DEN \VILDENBERG, OF FREEDOM, TVISCONSIN.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 466,714, dated January 5, 1892-.

Application filed May 6, 1891. Serial No. 391,785. (No model.) i

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, PETER GEURTZ and MARTIN VAN DEN WILDENBERG, citizens of the United States, residing at Freedom, (Sagole P. O.,) in the county of Outagamie and State of \Visconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Our invention relates to fire-escapes adapted when not in use as an escape to be used as a bedstead.

It has for its object to construct the parts so that they can be easily and quickly taken apart when set up as a bedstead, and which, when combined as a bedstead, will be strong, light, and ornamental.

It has further for its object to construct the parts so that any two or more of the bedsteads can be combined so as to make an extension-ladder.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear the invention consists in the construction and combination of parts hereinafter described, and particularly specified in the claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective of the escape-ladder set up as a bedstead. Fig. 2 is a side view of the foot of the bedstead, which also constitutes the means for locking sections of the ladder together. Fig. 3 is a side view of one of the legs of the bedstead, which also assists in holding the sections together. Fig. 4 is a perspective of one corner of the device when set up as a bedstead, one of the tubular rounds being sectioned to show the locking-pins therein. Fig. 5 is a perspective of the ends of two sections of the ladder detached and showing a locking-pin chained to one section. Fig. 6 is a front view of two sections in position for use as an escape, the dotted lines indicating the parts brought together with the locking-pin inserted to lock them together. Fig. 7 is a side view of one section with a portion in section, illustrating two sections hinged together by a tubular round. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the ladder when used.

In the drawings, the letter A designates four sections of a ladder hinged together at the three points or joints B by tubular rounds (J, passing through the meeting rails of the sections, and having their heads upset, so as to hold the parts together and yet leave them free to turn, as upon a hinge, at such joints. It will be observed that two of the sections are shorter than the others, the purpose thereof being to form an oblong frame when the sections are folded, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to compose a neat bedsteadframe. The hinging-rounds are hollow and their ends left open, so that the pins D of the legs E can be inserted therein, and also to receive pins F,

formed to the head-piece G, as well as to the foot-piece H. These pins serve to hold the legs and also the head and foot pieces in place, and fit so loosely in the rounds that by merely lifting the frame the legs will drop out, so as to allow the sections to unfold and straighten out to form aladder, as illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings. It will be observed that at the free ends a Z) of the hinged sections the hollow round 0' passes through the rails of only one section, so that the rails of the other section are free to be slipped over and from off one section, in order that the sections may be distended to form the ladder. WVhen the sectionsare folded, however, to form the bedstead-frame, these free ends are held together by the pin D of one leg and the pin F at one end of the foot-piece, as illustrated in Fig. l; or, if no foot-piece is used, then by the pin J, which is connected. by the chain K to one section, as illustrated in Fig. 5. Every frame is provided with this pin J, whether a foot-piece be used or not, so that if it is desired to join two or more frames together to form an extended ladder it can be done by passing the pin through the perforation 0 in the rails of one section and the hollow round 0 of the other section, as indicated in Fig. 6. It will be observed that the legs E are provided with casters L, as illustrated.

v by engaging one round with the hooks M in the window-sill of his rtom, and he is ready to make his escape. If one frame should not be long enough, it is lengthened by taking another frame from the same or adjoining room and joining the two or more frames together, and a ladder of the desired length is thus quickly formed.

a The tubular rounds form strong connections between the sections and at the same time allow them to swing or distend Without difficulty. By the construction described no time is lost in converting the bed-frame into a fire-escape ladder, and when the ladder is used as a bedstead-frame it is neat in appearance and strong and durable in use.

It is obvious that modifications in details can be made Without departing from the spirit of our invention.

Having described our invention and set forth its merits, What We claim is 1.Acombined fire-escape and bedstead, comprising a series of ladder-sections hinged together by tubular rounds and provided With means for detachably connecting together the free ends of the ladder, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combined fire-escape and bedstead, 5

composed of a series of ladder-sections hinged together by tubular rounds, the free ends of the ladder being provided one with perforations and the other with atubular round, and

a pin to pass through said perforations and 0 round to secure the parts together, substantially as described.

'lhe'combined fire-escape and bedstead, composed of a series of ladd er-sectionshinged together by tubular rounds and provided at 45 their free ends with atubular round and perforations, pins entering said tubular rounds and serving to connect legs to the sections for the purpose of supporting the same, and

head and foot pieces provided with pins to 50 

